Auger mining machine

ABSTRACT

A plurality of oppositely positioned auger units for recovering material from a mineral seam of a mine pillar are mounted in spaced parallel relation on a movable frame portion. The frame portion includes skids that support the frame for movement over the floor of the mine main entry. Each of the auger units includes a cutting head secured to one end and a power source connected to the other end for rotating the auger. The power sources are mounted for transverse movement on guide rails that are secured to the frame portion to advance and retract the auger units on the frame. The auger units include a first string of drilling augers that are arranged to penetrate the mineral seam as the power sources advance on the guide rails. Helical vanes on the drilling augers move the dislodged material rearwardly to the entrance of the drill hole. A transfer conveyor positioned between the drill hole and the frame portion receives the dislodged material from the drilling auger and conveys it laterally to a conveying auger string that is positioned in a previously drilled hole. Helical vanes on the conveying auger rotate in a direction opposite to those of the drilling auger so that the dislodged material is conveyed forwardly through the previously drilled hole which extends through the pillar and opens into a haulage entry positioned parallel to the main entry. A mobile receiving conveyor in the haulage entry receives the dislodged material from the conveying auger and discharges it onto a stationary haulage belt that transports the dislodged material out of the mine. A third string of augers supported by the frame portion are positioned in previously drilled holes and serve as a source of additional auger sections for the drilling and conveying auger strings.

United States Patent i 1 Gallis l l AUGER MINING MACHINE Alex J. Gallis. 608 Killarney Dr, Apt. No. 3. Morgantown. W. Va. 26505 22 Filed: July 12, 1974 [2i] Appl. Now-187,966

[76] Inventor:

Primary Examiner-Ernest R. Purser Attorney. Agent, or FirmStanley J. Price, Jr.

[57] ABSTRACT A plurality of oppositely positioned auger units for re covering material from a mineral seam of a mine pillar are mounted in spaced parallel relation on a movable frame portion. The frame portion includes skids that support the frame for movement over the floor of the 51 Aug.5, 1975 mine main entry. Each of the auger units includes a cutting head secured to one end and a power source connected to the other end for rotating the auger. The power sources are mounted for transverse movement on guide rails that are secured to the frame portion to advance and retract the auger units on the frame. The auger units include a first string of drilling augers that are arranged to penetrate the mineral seam as the power sources advance on the guide rails. Helical vanes on the drilling augers move the dislodged mate rial rearwardly to the entrance of the drill hole A transfer conveyor positioned between the drill hole and the frame portion receives the dislodged material from the drilling auger and conveys it laterally to a conveying auger string that is positioned in a previously drilled hole. Helical vanes on the conveying auger rotate in a direction opposite to those of the drilling auger so that the dislodged material is conveyed forwardly through the previously drilled hole which extends through the pillar and opens into a haulage entry positioned parallel to the main entry. A mobile receiving conveyor in the haulage entry receives the dislodged material from the conveying auger and discharges it onto a stationary haulage belt that transports the dislodged material out of the mine. A third string of augers supported by the frame portion are positioned in previously drilled holes and serve as a source of additional auger sections for the drilling and conveying auger strings.

8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures Z T M W i 0a,. 102 4/6 l 02 90 1/4 H 40 46 46' as E 4 y 64 t 5 44 l o I 50 //a so I 52, /24 5 I i i /2/ I36 02 /2a as PAIENIEU AUG 5|975 3, 8 5 saw 3 1 AUGER MINING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the lnvention This invention relates to an auger mining machine, and more particularly to an auger mining machine having drilling augers arranged to dislodge solid material from a mineral seam of a pillar and conveying augers arranged to convey the dislodged material through previously drilled holes for removal out of the mine.

2. Description of the Prior Art Conventional auger mining machines as illustrated, for example, in US. Pat. Nos. 2,616,677; 2,940,740; 2,95 l .693 and 3,750,852 comprise a single drilling auger or a plurality thereof mounted on a mobile frame portion and driven by a power source. Cutter heads secured to the end portions of the auger shafts penetrate a selected depth into the mineral seam to dislodge the solid material therefrom. Helical vanes supported on the auger shafts convey the loose material rearwardly out of the drilled hole and discharge the material onto a continuous haulage conveyor supported by the machine frame. The haulage conveyor transports the loose material from the main entry to a distant point for transfer into shuttle cars or other conventional haulage vehicles which transport the material from the mine.

The production yield of the mining augering machines is dependent primarily upon the number of cut ter heads employed to dislodge the solid material from the seam. Accordingly, the yield is increased by increasing the number of auger units. However, an increase in the number of augers also increases the demand placed upon the haulage conveyor to efficiently move the loose material from the main entry. The haulage conveyor has a limited capacity to move the material dislodged by the augers, and as a result the multiple augers experience periods of inactivity which reduce the overall efficiency of the mining machine. Furthermore, considerable time is required to move the auger machine from one cutting position to another during which time the augers remain idle, thus reducing the total yield.

US. Pat. Nos. 2,970,740 and 3,663,062 disclose the use of conveying augers in addition to drilling augers as a means for handling the increased yield produced by the multiple augers to maintain their efficient operation. However, restricting augers to the exclusive func' tion of conveying loose material away from the cutting augers limits flexibility of the augers which could also be utilized in the cutting operation. Also, an augering mining machine having conveying augers which serve no other function require a considerable expense and must be substantially increased in size to accommodate the storage, handling and use of the conveying augers.

There is need for an auger mining machine having a plurality of auger units which are capable of substantially continuous operation and are equally functional as both drilling and conveying augers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an auger mining machine which includes a frame portion having propelling devices for moving the frame portion over the ground. A plurality of oppositely positioned auger units are mounted in spaced parallel relation on the frame portion transversely relative to the longitudinal axis thereof. The auger units inelude a first string of drilling augers and a second string of conveying augers. A motor is drivingly connected to each of the auger units for rotating the auger units at a preselected speed. Guide mechanisms are positioned transversely on the frame portion and support the auger units for transverse movement on the frame portion. A first conveyor is positioned in material receiving relationship with the end portions of the drilling augers and the conveying augers adjacent to the frame portion. The first conveyor is arranged to laterally convey dislodged material from the drilling augers to the conveying augers. A second conveyor is positioned in material receiving relationship with the end portions of the conveying augers distant from the frame portion for receiving dislodged material from the conveying augers and transporting the material therefrom.

A third string of storage augers are also slidably positioned on the machine frame portion in spaced parallel relation to the drilling and conveying augers. The storage augers are retained within the holes drilled by the drilling augers and serve as a source for additional auger sections which may be added to the auger strings as needed in the material dislodging and conveying op erations.

Helical vanes of the drilling auger transfer the material dislodged from the mineral seam of a pillar by the cutting head rearwardly to the entrance of the drill hole and onto the first conveyor. The first conveyor positioned in the main entry laterally conveys the dislodged material from the drilling auger to the adjacent conveying auger. The conveying auger is positioned in a previously drilled hole.

The conveying augers include helical vanes which rotate oppositely of the vanes of the drilling augers to advance the material through previously drilled holes. The conveying augers extend through the pillar with the cutting head end portions located in a haulage entry positioned parallel to the main entry. The second conveyor located in the haulage entry receives from a drilled hole the loose material conveyed therethrough by the rotating vanes of a conveying auger. The second conveyor discharges the dislodged material onto a stationary haulage belt that is positioned in the haulage entry. The haulage belt transfers the dislodged material out of the mine or to a discharge point for transfer into a haulage vehicle, such as a shuttle car.

Utilizing holes drilled through the mine pillar for the purpose of conveying the dislodged material from the main entry to the haulage entry and out of the mine eliminates the need for cumbersome conveying apparatus in the main entry. The conveying augers are positioned in holes drilled by the drilling augers which are continuously moved into position to drill further holes in the mineral seam of the pillar. Thus, by advancing the machine frame portion through the main entry, a plurality of holes are drilled in the pillar by which substantially all of the mineral material is recovered therefrom. Even though substantial material is removed from the pillar, suffieient solid material remains in place to support the pillar roof.

Accordingly, the principal object of the present invention is to provide an auger mining machine having auger strings arranged to dislodge material from a mineral seam and to convey the dislodged material through previously drilled holes for efficient removal out of the mine.

Another object of the present invention is to provide substantially full recovery of the mineral material of a pillar by an auger mining machine leaving adequate solid material in place to support the pillar roof.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a mining machine capable of dislodging and conveying solid material from a mineral seam by rotatable augers mounted on a movable machine frame portion that is positioned at all times under a supported mine roof.

These and other objects of this invention will be more completely disclosed and described in the following specification, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 (shown as FIGS. 1A and 1B) is a top plan view of the auger mining machine, illustrating the operation of the auger units to dislodge solid material from the mine and to convey the loose material out of the mine on haulage belts.

FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation taken along the line IIII of FIG. 1A, illustrating the transfer of the loose material from the conveying auger to the haulage belt for transfer out of the mine.

FIG. 3 is a view in side elevation taken along the line IIIIII of FIG. IA, illustrating the transfer of the dislodged material from the drilling auger to the conveymg auger.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings and particularly FIGS. 1A and 18, there is illustrated an auger mining machine generally designated by the numeral positioned within the main entry 12 of an underground mine. The main entry 12 is formed by the spaced longitudinal pillars l4 and 16 from which solid mineral material, such as coal is to be recovered in accordance with the present invention. Located on the opposite sides of the pillars l4 and 16 and extending in parallel relation to the main q try 12 are recovery entries 18 and 20 in which are positioned stationary haulage belts for transporting the loose material out of the mine.

The mining machine 10 includes a frame portion 22 having a longitudinal axis and mounted on propelling devices, such as skids 24. The propelling devices 24 may include any apparatus for supporting the frame portion 22 for movement within the main entry 12. Each of the skids 24 is provided with a piston cylinder assembly 26 having an extensible piston rod which is operable upon actuation to slide the skid 24 back and forth over the mine floor and thereby move the frame portion 22 within the mine. Initially, the mining machine 10 is positioned at a selected location in the main entry I2 by a suitable towing vehicle, such as a tractor, which is connected to the frame portion 22 by engaging one of the hitches 27 that are provided at the opposite end portions of the machine frame.

A plurality of spaced parallel guide rails 28, 30, 31, 32 and 34 are secured transversely to the frame portion 22. At the end portions of the frame 22 are provided roof and floor jacks 36. The roof and floor jacks 36 are hydraulically actuated to engage the roof and floor of the mine and thereby securely position the machine frame 22 at a selected elevation opposite the mineral seam to be recovered. A motor 37 is mounted on the front portion of the frame 22 and is drivingly connected to the pumps 39 for actuating the hydraulic jacks 36 and the other hydraulic motors used for operating the mining machine 10 in accordance with the present in vention. Hydraulic controls 4| are provided for actuating the various hydraulic motors and devices.

A plurality of parallel spaced auger units 38, 40 and 42 are positioned on opposite sides of the frame portion 22 transversely relative to the longitudinal axis thereof. Each of the opposed auger units 38, 40 and 42 includes a shaft 44 and a cutting head 46 rigidly secured to one end portion of the shaft 44. The cutting head 46 is provided with a plurality of cutting elements 48 which project outwardly from the cutting head 46 and are arranged to dislodge solid material from the mineral vein upon rotation of the shaft 44. The shaft 44 supports helical vanes 50 that extend the length of the auger units 38, 40 and 42. Preferably, the auger units 38, 40 and 42 comprise a string of augers that are coupled together in a conventional manner with the cutting head 46 positioned at the end of the string so that the full depth of the pillars l4 and 16 may be penetrated to recover the mineral material therefrom. The auger units may include a helix of either direction, however it is preferred that all the auger units be of the same helical direction so that they may be interchanged.

The auger units 38, hereinafter referred to as the drilling augers, each includes a motor 52 which is slidably positioned on the guide rails 28 and 30 for transverse movement relative to the frame portion 22 by operation of hydraulic piston cylinder assemblies (not shown). The motor 52 includes a drive shaft 54 that is connected to a conventional gear reducer 56. The end of the drilling auger 38 is rotatably mounted in bearing 58 of the gear reducer 56. With this arrangement, rotation of the drive shaft 54 produced by the motor 52 is transmitted to the gear reducer 56 which, in turn, provides for rotation of the drilling auger 38 at a preselected speed. To balance the torsional stresses exerted upon the machine frame 22 by rotation of the oppositely positioned drilling augers 38, the augers 38 are rotated in the same direction.

To position the cutter heads 46 of the drilling augers 38 adjacent the face of the mineral seam to be recovered from the pillars I4 and 16, the drilling motors 52 are retracted to a center position on the guide rails 28 and 30. The cutting heads 46 then penetrate the mineral seam as thrust is applied to the rotating augers 38 by the motors 52 advancing on the rails 28 and 30 toward the mineral seam. The cutting elements 48 dislodge the material as the cutting heads 46 penetrate into the seam. The dislodged material is conveyed rearwardly by the helical vanes 50 through the holes 60 and 62 as the drilling augers 38 advance into the pillars I4 and 16. In a specific embodiment, the drilling augers 38 have left hand helical vanes 50 which are rotated clockwise as viewed from the machine frame 22. Thus, the material recovered from the pillars l4 and 16 moves rearwardly out of the holes 60 and 62.

When the motors 52 have advanced to the end of the guide rails 28 and 30 with the drilling augers 38 fully extended into the holes 60 and 62, the shafts 44 are disconnected from the bearings 58. The motors 52 and gear reducers 56 may then be returned to center position on the guide rails 28 and 30. Additional auger sections stored on the machine frame 22, in a manner hereinafter described, are mounted in the bearings 58 of the gear reducers 56 and are coupled to the end portions of the drilling augers 38 remaining within the drilled holes 60 and 62.

A hoist and boom arrangement (not shown) is provided on the machine frame 22 for moving the auger sections into and out of position on the frame 22. With this arrangement, the length of the drilling augers 38 is increased to form an auger string of a sufficient length to cut completely through the pillars 14 and I6 and dislodge the solid material therefrom. Accordingly. the length of the auger string is increased by repeating the above described procedure until the cutting heads 46 have penetrated through the pillars l4 and 16. The holes 60 and 62 thus formed extend from the main entry 12 through the pillars into the haulage entries 18 and 20.

As the drilling augers 38 penetrate into the pillars l4 and 16, the dislodged material is continuously conveyed rearwardly by the helical vanes 50 into the main entry 12. Positioned adjacent and parallel to the dril ling augers 38 in the holes 60 and 62 are the auger units 40 hereinafter referred to as the conveying augers. The conveying augers 40 are positioned in holes 64 and 66 previously drilled by the drilling augers 38. A transfer conveyor 68 is positioned in material receiving relationship below the end portions of the drilling augers 38 and the conveying augers 40 adjacent to the machine frame 22 as illustrated in detail in FIG. 3.

Each of the transfer conveyors 68 includes a first frame portion 70 that supports a belly plate 72 in underlying relationship with the drilling auger 38. The belly plate 72 serves to confine the dislodged material adjacent to the periphery of the drilling auger 38 to prevent spillage onto the floor of the main entry 12. P0- sitioned adjacent to the belly plate 72 and below the drilling auger 38 is an upwardly extending endless chain 74 comprising a plurality of conveyor flights 76. The endless chain 74 passes over sprockets 78 and 80. A selected one of the sprockets 78 and 80 is driven by a motor (not shown) to continuously move the conveyor flights 76 of the endless chain 74 below the drilling auger 38. Thus. the endless chain 74 is arranged to receive dislodged material from the drilling auger 38 and continuously convey it laterally in an upward conveying path from the drilling auger 38 to the conveying auger 40. From the endless chain 74 the dislodged material is discharged onto a belly plate 82 supported rearwardly and below the conveying auger 40 by a frame portion 84. Thus, the belly plate 82 serves to confine the loose material transferred from the drilling auger 38 by the endless chain conveyor 74 adjacent to the periphery of the conveying auger 40 so that loose material is picked up by the helical vanes of the auger 40.

In a similar arrangement as above described for the drilling auger 38, each of the conveying augers 40 includes a shaft 86 having at one end portion a cutting head 88 with cutting elements 90 positioned thereon. The shaft 86 supports the helical vanes 92. The end portion of the shaft 86 is supported by bearing 94 of gear reducer 96. A conveying auger motor 98 is connected to the gear reducer 96 by a shaft 100. Thus, the motor 98 rotates the shaft 100 and, in turn, provides rotation of shaft 86 at a preselected speed through the gear reducer 96. Accordingly, if the drilling augers 38 are rotating in a counterclockwise direction to convey the dislodged material from the holes 60 and 62. the conveying augers 40 rotate in a clockwise direction to thereby transport the dislodged material from the transfer conveyor 68 through the previously drilled holes 64 and 66.

Referring to FIGS. 1A. 1B and 2, there is illustrated a mobile receiving conveyor generally designated by the numeral 102 that is positioned in material receiving relationship with the end portions of the conveying augers in the haulage entries 18 and 20. The receiving conveyors 102 are arranged to receive and transport loose material away from the conveying augers 40. Each conveyor 102 includes an arcuate endless chain 104 having conveyor flights 106 and is positioned in underlying relationship with the cutting head 88 of the conveying auger 40. The conveyor flights 106 continuously receive dislodged material transported through the holes 64 and 66. The endless chain 104 passes over sprockets 108 and 110, one of which is driven by a motor (not shown).

Each of the mobile receiving conveyors 102 has an end portion for continuously receiving dislodged material conveyed through the holes 64 and 66 by the conveying augers 40. The endless chain 104 transports the dislodged material by the conveyor flights 106 to the discharge end portion from which the material is deposited onto a haulage conveyor 112 positioned in and extending the length of the haulage entries 18 and 20. The haulage belt 112 transports the loose material to a point where it may be removed from the mine by conventionally known methods, such as by shuttle cars.

In order to advance the receiving conveyors 102 in the haulage entries 18 and 20 and position the conveyors 102 to receive dislodged material from the conveying augers 40 as the mineral recovery from the pillars i4 and 16 progresses, the conveyors 102 are supported on a mobile platform 114. The platform 114 is supported for movement in the haulage entries 18 and 20 by wheels 116. With this arrangement, the receiving conveyors 102 may be moved to a selected position within the entries 18 and 20 to receive dislodged material.

As above described for each of the drilling augers 38, the conveyor augers 40 each comprise a string of coupled auger sections to form a composite auger which extends through the pillars 14 and 16 for conveying loose material through the holes drilled by the drilling auger 38. To facilitate placement and removal of the auger sections in forming the string, the conveying gear reducer 96 and motors 98 are movable on the guide rail 31. Accordingly, when an auger section of the conveying auger 40 is removed from the string, the gear reducer 96 and motor 98 are advanced on the guide rail 31. Then the end portion of the previous auger section is mounted in the bearing 94 to form a shortened conveying auger 40.

Further, in accordance with the present invention. unused auger sections may be stored within previously drilled holes. For example, the drilled holes 118 and 120 adjacent the holes 64 and 66 used for conveying the dislodged material from the main entry 12 to the haulage entries 18 and 20 may be used to store auger sections when not in use by either the drilling augers 38 or the conveying augers 40. In an arrangement similar for the drilling and conveying augers, the storage augers 42 are movable transversely of the machine frame portion 22 on the guide rails 32 and 34. Also hydraulic motors 121 are provided for rotating the storage augers 42 in a preselected direction through gear reducers 122 and drive shafts 124.

initially. the auger mining machine 10 is positioned within the main entry 12 adjacent to the mine wall 126. The machine frame portion 22 is rigidly secured by operation of the roof and floor jacks 36 to engage the mine roof and floor. The auger units 38 and 40 are then operated to drill holes 128 134 in the pillars l4 and 16. The dislodged material is withdrawn from the holes and removed from the main entry 12 in the conventionally known manner. Thereafter, the machine frame portion 22 is advanced forwardly on the skids 24 by actuation of the piston cylinder assemblies 26 to position the drilling augers 38 adjacent the mineral seam for drilling holes 136 and 138. The conveying augers 40 are retained within the holes 132 and 134 with the storage augers 42 retained in the holes 128 and 130.

As the drilling augers 38 dislodge additional material from the pillars l4 and 16, the loose material is conveyed rearwardly through the holes 136 and 138. The transfer conveyors 68 receive the loose material from the drilling augers 38 and laterally transfer the material to the helical vanes of the conveying augers 40 positioned in the previously drilled holes 132 and 134. The conveying augers 40 rotating in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the drilling augers 38 advance the loose material away from the main entry 12 through the holes 132 and 134 onto the receiving conveyor 102 in the entries 18 and 20. The conveyor 102 receives the loose material from the holes 132 and 134 and then discharges the material onto the haulage belts 112 for removal from the mine.

At the completion of the mining cycle, the holes 128 and 130 serve as storage space for the unused auger sections, holes 132 and 134 are the conveying holes, and holes 136 and 138 are the production holes. Then to repeat the above cycle, auger units 38, 40 and 42 are retracted from the holes with excess auger sections suitably stored on the machine frame 22. The roof and floor jacks 36 are released from engagement with the mine roof and floor to permit forward tramming of the machine 10 to a new location in the main entry 12. The conveying augers 40 and the storage augers 42 occupy previously drilled holes and the drilling augers 38 are positioned adjacent the pillars l4 and 16 for drilling new production holes in the mineral seams adjacent to the previously drilled production holes 136 and 138. The machine frame portion 22 is advanced forwardly on the skids 24 as the mining operation is repeated.

It will be apparent that the practice of the present in vention provides for the recovery of the mineral material from the pillars l4 and 16. The holes formed in the pillars by the drilling augers 38 are separated by columns of solid material that serve to support the mine roof above the pillars l4 and 16. Since the recovery operation is accomplished by augering, no roof support in addition to that provided in the other entries is required. The operator of the auger mining machine 10 is able to control the mining operation from a protected position under the supported roof of the main entry 12. Thus. the mining operation is not delayed by the necessity of installing roof supports in addition to those already in place within the main entry 12. In this manner, the present invention permits increased production from the mine by recovering from the pillars at least 70% of the mineral materials which would otherwise be reserved for roof support.

According to the provisions of the patent statutes. l have explained the principle. preferred construction and mode of operation of my invention and have illustrated and described what I now consider to represent its best embodiments. However. it should be understood that. within the scope of the appended claims. the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described.

I claim:

I. An auger mining machine comprising.

a frame portion having propelling means for moving said frame portion over the ground.

a plurality of oppositely positioned auger units mounted in spaced parallel relation on said frame portion transversely relative to the longitudinal axis thereof, said auger units including a first string of drilling augers and a second string of conveying augers,

power means drivingly connected to each of said auger units for rotating said auger units at a preselected speed,

guide means positioned transversely on said frame portion for supporting said auger units for movement on said frame portion,

first conveyor means positioned in material receiving relationship with the end portions of said drilling augers and said conveying augers adjacent to said frame portion for transferring dislodged material from said drilling augers to said conveying augers, and

second conveyor means positioned in material receiving relationship with the end portions of said conveying augers distant from said frame portion for receiving and transporting dislodged material away from said conveying augers.

2. An auger mining machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein,

said auger units include a third string of storage augers positioned adjacent to and in spaced parallel relationship with said conveying augers on said frame portion,

said conveying augers positioned on said frame portion between said drilling augers and said storage augers.

3. An auger mining machine as set forth in claim 2 which includes,

said auger strings each having a rotatable shaft connected at one end to said power means,

helical vanes supported by said shaft and extending the length thereof, and

a cutting head secured to the opposite end of said shaft and having means positioned on said head for dislodging solid material from a mineral seam.

4. An auger mining machine as set forth in claim I in which said guide means includes,

a plurality of spaced parallel rails positioned transversely on said frame portion,

said power means slidably supported on said rails to thereby extend and retract said auger units on said frame portion.

5. An auger mining machine as set forth in claim 1 in which said first conveyor means includes,

a continuous conveyor having a first end portion supported in underlying relation with said drilling augers,

said continuous conveyor having a second end portion supported adjacent to said conveying auger,

9 10 said conveyor second end portion positioned at an lected position for receiving dislodged material elevation above said conveyor first end portion so from said conveying auger. that dislodged material is conveyed laterally from 7, A auger i i hi as t f th i l i said drilling auger to said conveying auger. which inciudes 6 An auger mining machine as set forth in claim 1 in 5 said power means operable to rotate said drilling auwhlch second conveyng mans mcludes' gers in a preselected direction and to rotate said a continuous conveyor having a first end portion supported in underlying relation with the end portion of said conveying auger for receiving dislodged maconveying auger in a direction opposite to that of said drilling augers. 8. An auger mining machine as set forth in claim I terial therefrom, to said continuous conveyor having a second end porwh'ch mlcludes' tion from which dislodged material is discharged exlenslble means Provided said frame P therefrom for subsequent h dli positioning said auger units at a preselected height said continuous conveyor having propelling means relative to the ground.

for moving said continuous conveyor to a prese- 

1. An auger mining machine comprising, a frame portion having propelling means for moving said frame portion over the ground, a plurality of oppositely positioned auger units mounted in spaced parallel relation on said frame portion transversely relative to the longitudinal axis thereof, said auger units including a first string of drilling augers and a second string of conveying augers, power means drivingly connected to each of said auger units for rotating said auger units at a preselected speed, guide means positioned transversely on said frame portion for supporting said auger units for movement on said frame portion, first conveyor means positioned in material receiving relationship with the end portions of said drilling augers and said conveying augers adjacent to said frame portion for transferring dislodged material from said drilling augers to said conveying augers, and second conveyor means positioned in material receiving relationship with the end portions of said conveying augers distant from said frame portion for receiving and transporting dislodged material away from said conveying augers.
 2. An auger mining machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein, said auger units include a third string of storage augers positioned adjacent to and in spaced parallel relationship with said conveying augers on said frame portion, said conveying augers positioned on said frame portion between said drilling augers and said storage augers.
 3. An auger mining machine as set forth in claim 2 which includes, said auger strings each having a rotatable shaft connected at one end to said power means, helical vanes supported by said shaft and extending the length thereof, and a cutting head secured to the opposite end of said shaft and having means positioned on said head for dislodging solid material from a mineral seam.
 4. An auger mining machine as set forth in claim 1 in which said guide means includes, a plurality of spaced parallel rails positioned transversely on said frame portion, said power means slidably supported on said rails to thereby extend and retract said auger units on said frame portion.
 5. An auger mining machine as set forth in claim 1 in which said first conveyor means includes, a continuous conveyor having a first end portion supported in underlying relation with said drilling augers, said continuous conveyor having a second end portion supported adjacent to said conveying auger, said conveyor second end portion positioned at an elevation above said conveyor first end portion so that dislodged material is conveyed laterally from said drilling auger to said conveying auger.
 6. An auger mining machine as set forth in claim 1 in which said second conveying means includes, a continuous conveyor having a first end portion supported in underlying relation with the end portion of said conveying auger for receiving dislodged material therefrom, said continuous conveyor having a second end portion from which dislodged material is discharged therefrom for subsequent handling, said continuous conveyor having propelling means for moving said continuous conveyor to a preselected position for receiving dislodged material from said conveying auger.
 7. An auger mining machine as set forth in claim 1 which includes, said power means operable to rotate said drilling augers in a preselected direction and to rotate said conveying auger in a direction opposite to that of said drilling augers.
 8. An auger mining machine as set forth in claim 1 which includes, extensible means provided on said frame portion for positioning said auger units at a preselected height relative to the ground. 